In Los Angeles, at about the same time the New Jersey Devils were ridding themselves of Taylor Hall in a trade to the Arizona Coyotes, the Kings were offloading their own problems.
Ilya Kovalchuk reportedly left the team, and on Monday the Kings placed the 36-year on unconditional waivers.
“Ilya Kovalchuk has left the team and been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract with the club,” the Kings wrote in a statement.
The move effectively terminated his contract with the Kings.
On 1 July 2018, Kovalchuk signed a three-year deal worth $18.75 million.
For all that investment, Kovalchuk has been a disappointment.
Over 81 games, he has collected 43 points on 19 goals.
He has been a healthy scratch since 9 November.
“I don’t know what was reported,” Kovalchuk said Nov. 14. “I’m the regular player. Everybody’s got a healthy scratch and we’re in last place, so Coach (Todd McLellan) has to do something to change things, and I’m just here every day for the guys, for the team. And if they need me, I’m ready to go.”
The Kings will still be on the hook for his salary cap hit next season, estimated at $6.35 million.
“The situation with Kovy is a tough one for everybody,” McLellan said earlier in December. “I can tell you that he’s been outstanding. Kovy’s situation has nothing to do with him as a person or his work ethic or anything like that. He’s outstanding. He works as hard as anybody right now.”
That’s not saying much for a team that has seemingly given up on the season.
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